BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCHEON – AUGUST 20, 2008On Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber (SMHCC) the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District (SMCISD) and the Greater San Marcos Youth Council will host the annual “Back To School Luncheon”. This year’s site is in the New San Marcos High School Cafeteria. While teachers are preparing for the start of school, many SMCISD students will not have the resources and school supplies to adequately begin the school year. Your contributions in school materials or money will make a great difference in a young persons’ life. Join the SMHCC Board of Directors, WALMART, GRANDE COMMUNICATIONS, CENTRAL TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER, and others in making this a most meaningful event for school children in our community. Education is our key to the future. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Call us at 353-1103 for more information and ticket prices.

Date: August 20th, 2008

Where: San Marcos High School Cafeteria

Time: 11:45 – Food service

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch ProgramTAMACC CONFERENCE

The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce ( TAMACC ) held its annual convention and business expo in Austin, Texas last week. The three day conference featured annual recognition of community, corporate, individual and chamber of commerce, a business expo and a procurement round table session with over 300 small and large businesses that transacted over one billion dollars in procurement contracts. Next year promises to be even larger and more lucrative. McAllen, Texas will host the 2009 TAMACC Convention and Business Expo. Call the Hispanic Chamber at 353-1103 for information on TAMACC activities.

TEXAS STATE HOSTS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH KICK-OFF
A Texas-sized fiesta on the banks of the San Marcos River will kick-off this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. The event will take place Saturday Sept. 13 from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m and will feature an entertaining line-up of performances, games and contests.

Enjoy key performances by award-winning music group Salsa del Rio and the San Marcos high school folklorico dance group. Afterwards, test your grito skills or jalapeno-eating stamina at two contests. For the younger crowd there will be moonwalks, games and prizes plus a special visit by the San Marcos Fire Department.

“Hispanic Heritage History month kick-off is a perfect opportunity for Latinos from the university and community members to come together and celebrate a heritage that is deeply-rooted in our local culture,” said Stella Silva, Ph. D, associate director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.

The theme for this year’s celebration is community and will focus on the importance of civic responsibility and public service in younger generations.
“In building this community it sets the tone for students to embrace the community as a form of support for their academic success,” Silva said.

The kick-off celebrates the beginning of a month-long schedule of film festivals, dinners and a speaking series.

“Hispanic heritage month is all about promoting cultural diversity among Texas State students and the local community,” said Javier Apolinar, Hispanic Heritage Month Committee chair. “Participants can expect a festive learning experience that embraces a variety of Latino cultures.”

For more information visit http://www.studentorgs.txstate.edu/LSA/hhm.html.

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HISPANIC OWNED BUSINESSES TO REACH 2.2 MILLION IN 2008

Hispanic business research estimates that existing trends support the projections of at least 2.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses generating close to 388.7 Billion Dollars in revenues in 2008. With a compound annual growth rate of 9.1 percent over the last 5 years, Hispanic-owned businesses are increasingly impacting the overall U.S. Economy.

HispanTelligence

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

The San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SMHCC) can refer individuals or going concerns to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or direct referrals to lending sources for personal consultations which includes: getting your business started on the right foot and getting your finances in order.

The Hispanic Chamber can help: Existing or Start-up businesses, assistance with HUB Certification, and overall assistance in every phase of the business cycle. For more assistance, call the Hispanic chamber Office at 353-1103, or e-mail rhg@sanmarcoshispanic.com.

CALENDAR:

August 11, MTD Board Meeting, CBC Conference Room

August 12, HWE Committee Meeting, CBC Conference Room, Noon

August 20, Back to School Luncheon, 11:45-1:00 p.m. S.M. High School

August 25, MTD Board Meeting , CBC Conference Room, 5:30 p.m.

August 26, General Board meeting, CBC Conference Room, 6:00 p.m..

From RICHARD H. GARZA
President – San Marcos Hispanic Area Chamber of Commerce